The Supremes were a very successful Motown all-female singing group active … Read Full Bio ↴The Supremes were a very successful Motown all-female singing group active from 1959 until 1977, performing at various times doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway showtunes, psychedelia, and disco. One of Motown's signature acts, The Supremes were the most successful African-American musical act of the 1960s, recording twelve #1 hits between 1964 and 1969, many of them written and produced by Motown's main songwriting and production team, Holland-Dozier-Holland. The crossover success of the Supremes during the mid-1960s paved the way for future black soul and R&B acts to gain mainstream audiences both in the United States and overseas.

Founded in Detroit, Michigan, United States in 1959, The Supremes began as a quartet called The Primettes. Founding members Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, and Betty McGlown, all from the Brewster-Douglas public housing project in Detroit, were the sister act to The Primes (later The Temptations). In 1960, Barbara Martin replaced McGlown, and the group signed with Motown in 1961 as The Supremes. Martin left at the end of 1961, and Ross, Ballard, and Wilson carried on as a trio. After they achieved success in the mid-1960s with Ross as the lead singer, Motown president Berry Gordy renamed the group Diana Ross & the Supremes in 1967, and replaced Ballard with Cindy Birdsong. Ross left the group for a solo career in 1970, and was replaced by Jean Terrell. After 1972, the lineup of the Supremes changed frequently, with Lynda Laurence, Scherrie Payne, and Susaye Greene all becoming members before the group ended its eighteen-year existence in 1977.

Heartaches Don't Last Always
The Supremes Lyrics

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Tossin' and turnin' and losin' my sleep
Cause heartaches by the number you gave to me.
I'm so glad heartaches don't last always.
But I'm so glad heartaches don't last always.

I feel uplifted and at ease
Since my heartaches went away
Someway, somehow I've gotten over you now

No more sitting by the phone
Mo more wondering if you're alone

Tossin' and turnin' and losin' my sleep
Cause heartaches by the number you gave to me
I'm so glad heartaches don't last always
I'm so glad heartaches don't last always

Getting over you was hard cause we were so close.
In the middle of sweet memories and then it hurt the most.
But I just kept on trying in between crying and ...

Tossin' and turnin' and losin' my sleep
Cause heartaches by the number you gave to me
I'm so glad heartaches don't last always
I'm so glad heartaches don't last always.

How happy I am now that I'm over you.
It's so wonderful this change in me.
How rejoiced I am to be over you at last no more ...

Tossin' and turnin' and losin' my sleep
Cause heartaches by the number you gave to me

I'm so glad heartaches don't last always
I'm so glad heartaches don't last always

Overall Meaning

In "Heartaches Don't Last", The Supremes sing about the pain of heartbreak, the feeling of being unable to sleep and tossing and turning at night, because of the hurt caused by a partner's unfaithfulness. The lyrics suggest that the experience of dealing with heartbreak is tough, but it won't last forever. In fact, the singer is now "uplifted and at ease" because she has moved on from the past relationship. Getting over the pain of a break up is often challenging, but it is ultimately rewarding to be free from the emotional turmoil.

Line by Line Meaning

Tossin' and turnin' and losin' my sleep
Having difficulty sleeping due to being overwhelmed with emotions

Cause heartaches by the number you gave to me.
Feeling heartbroken due to the numerous times you caused me pain

I'm so glad heartaches don't last always.
Thankful that this pain is only temporary

But I'm so glad heartaches don't last always.
Reiterating the relief that pain is not permanent

I feel uplifted and at ease
Experiencing a sense of comfort and peace

Since my heartaches went away
Since the painful emotions have dissipated

Someway, somehow I've gotten over you now
Managed to move on from the relationship somehow

No more sitting by the phone
Not waiting by the phone for your call anymore

Mo more wondering if you're alone
No longer questioning if you are alone or not

Getting over you was hard cause we were so close.
The process of moving on was difficult due to how close the relationship was

In the middle of sweet memeories is when it hurt the most.
The memories of the relationship were bittersweet and caused the most pain

But I just kept on trying in between crying and
Persisted through the process of healing despite the tears

How happy I am now that I'm over you.
Feeling joyful and content since moving on from the relationship

It's so wonderful this change in me.
Feeling fulfilled and grateful for the personal growth that came from the relationship ending

How rejoiced I am to be over you at last no more
Overjoyed that the pain of the heartaches is no longer present

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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